Words of Wisdom-8:

Do you see, simply by the observance of strict Brahmacharya (continence), all learning can be mastered in a very short time - one has an unfailing memory of what one hears or knows but once. It is owing to this want of continence that everything is on the brink of ruin in our country - Swami Vivekananda

Words of Wisdom-7:

To me the very essence of education is concentration of mind, not the collecting of facts. If I had to do my education over again, and had any voice in the matter, I would not study facts at all. I would develop the power of concentration and detachment, and then with a perfect instrument I could collect facts at will - Swami Vivekananda

Words of Wisdom-6:

We want that education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, the intellect is expanded, and by which one can stand on one's own feet - Swami Vivekananda

NCERT move to remove 'FAIL' from Report Card - Neha Sharma

The proposal by the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to delete the word "fail" from report cards has been welcomed by schools. The body has suggested the replacement of the word "fail" with "unsatisfactory" or "repeat".

Many agree that grading a student pass or fail on the basis of a three-hour exam is not appropriate. Certain critics of the recommendation say that simply addressing the "concept" differently does not solve the problem and a lot more needs to be done to control pressure among students.

Says Sarita Manuja, Principal, Apeejay School, Sheik Sarai, "It is definitely a step in the positive direction because the concept of "fail" is outdated. The word is heavy and has an impact on impressionable minds. A student cannot be good in all the subjects and it high time we accepted it. However, every suggestion has to be seen in a wider context. We have a rule not to fail any student from Class 1-5. But has anybody ever sat down to discuss the impact of failure on a Class 6 student who is not familiar with the concept? There should be an examining body which should make sure that guidelines in educational institutions are logical," she adds.

Former Miss India Manpreet Brar Walia, mother of a four-year-old son, says that though on the face of it, it seems to be one term being changed with another, the issue is wider because the terms "fail" and "repeat" have extremely different connotations and each can have a totally opposite effect on kids. "The word "fail" has a finality to it which can definitely demoralise a student. 'Repeat' means that you have another chance and have to do it again. I would rather use the word 'repeat' on my son's report card than an extreme and terminal word like 'fail'," she says.

Experts state that failure is a part of life and the ability to cope with it is very individualistic. They opine that people should learn to accept failure as a part of life, though the same might be tough for a vulnerable person to whom the heaviness of the word may come as a jolt.

Psychiatrist Deepak Raheja says, "Having not passed is equivalent to failure. Yet, a fragile person might find it tough to accept the ultimateness of the word. The traumas cannot be eliminated by interchanging the words, but it can definitely be lessened. It will come forward as a sensitive expression of the society and I think the step is worthwhile."

Madhumita Chopra, a mother of two, says, "It is tough for children to accept the fact that they will not be promoted to the next class. And no word can take away that feeling of anguish. I think counselling is best in such a situation, so that the child can cope with stress and the burden of sorrow."

Courtesy: Deccan Chronicle, Chennai, Sep.23, 2007.

Grateful thanks to Deccan Chronicle.

'Concentrate on Education' : Swaraj Paul

Chairman of the Caparo group of companies, Lord Swaraj Paul, said on Saturday (Sep.22, 2007) that if India wanted to become a developed country it should concentrate on education. Without the desired development in this field, no country could attain the standards of a developed country.

"I am of the opinion that politics and business should be kept away from the field of education," he told reporters.

He formally inaugurated the Punjab Technical University-Caparo School of Excellence for Manufacturing and Material Technology at Jalandhar, Punjab. He said the school was a unique gift to the city. The school was thrown open to the students on August 14.

The school is his first initiative towards fostering entrepreneurship in India by catalysing, accelerating and supporting the growth of manufacturing and materials technology.

In the UK, 50% of the total population acquire higher education, which was the largest percentage in this category, he said. However, in India's case the situation was bad as not more than 30% of children do not even get primary education.

The former President, APJ Abdul Kalam, is to be conferred with a honorary degree by Wolverhampton University in the UK next month, he said.

Lord Paul, who is also the Chancellor of the University, said Mr.Kalam would visit London on October 22 for receiving the honour. He said Mr.Kalam had also agreed to deliver lectures at the Caparo School here.

Excerpt from PTI/The Hindu, Chennai, of Sep.23, 2007.

Grateful thanks to PTI and The Hindu.

Words of Wisdom-7:

Nothing in education is so astonishing as the amount of ignorance it accumulates in the form of inert facts - Henry B.Adams

'Intel to offer net-based content to schools' - Express News Service, The New Indian Express

Chennai, Sep.3: Craig R.Barrett, Chairman, Intel Corporation, on Monday said that Intel would provide Internet-based content to over 1,800 secondary schools in Tamil Nadu for student learning and teacher training.

Addressing reporters after holding discussions with Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi at his residence here, the Intel chief said the organisation would assist the State Government in providing WIMAX broadband access to 50 government schools in tier-two towns, such as, Coimbatore, Tiruchy, Madurai and Erode, for providing content and training to the schools.

Besides Intel would donate 500 personal computers to government schools.

Later, a press release from the company said that Intel and Tamil Nadu Govt would work together to expand the above network through support from USO funds, thereby connecting several schools, government offices, and health centres in more districts.

The release also said that Intel would work with the State Government in achieving leadership position in adoption of broadband and set an example for the rest of India, in terms of connectivity to schools, hospitals and government institutes.

Courtesy: Express News Service, The New Indian Express, Madurai, Sep.4, 2007

'Let Us Know Gandhi Through Correspondence' - Riyas, K.P. in Education Express, Supp. to The New Indian Express

Saturday, September 01, 2007
Eyecatchers-27 : 'Let Us Know Gandhi Through Correspondence' - Riyas, K.P. in Education Express, Supp. to The New Indian Express

"My life is my message." It was Gandhi's message to the world. The Gandhi Study Centre, located in Chennai, is on mission to spread the message of Gandhi's life and philosophy to the common man with a special focus on youth. The purpose is to teach the society the positive message of Gandhi's life based on historical facts and analysis, which is becoming increasingly relevant to the world, the centre is conducting correspondence course and study classes for the public and the students.

'Let Us Know Gandhi Through Correspondence' is a course conducted in Tamil and English by Gandhi Study Centre, which gives a rare chance to know and familiarise with the life and thoughts of Mahatma.

The course duration is three months. Contact classes at the nearby cities will also be arranged for the benefit of the students. The question paper will be sent to the participants. They can write the exams in their residence itself and send the answer papers to the centre.

The date of exam will be January 30, 2008. Certificates will be sent in due course to the successful candidates. Registration fee and course fee per candidate is Rs.150/- and those who register their names will get study materials free of cost. There is no educational qualification and age limit for enrolling in the course.

The Centre has instituted an award in the name of its founder TD Tirumalai for the students and the schools who take up the exam on My Experiments with Truth. It consists of cash prizes: Rs.1000/- (one first prize), Rs.500/- (six second prizes) and Rs.250/- (six third prizes).

With a good collection of materials on Gandhi, its library and research center has been recognized as one of the resource centres on Gandhi. The library which contains 10,000 books, CDs, video tapes, cassettes and photo collections, is a good resource option for educational institutions, research scholars, social activists and the public alike.

For more details: Gandhi Study Centre, 58,Venkatnarayana Road (near Hindi Prachar Sabha), T.Nagar, Chennai-600017. Ph: (044)24346549, 9444183198

(Excerpt from 'Let Us Know Gandhi...' by Riyas K.P. in Education Express, Supp. to The New Indian Express, Madurai, Aug.31, 2007)